Synthesis of cis-diols from aryl silanes

ABSTRACT

The present invention is related to cis-diols and biological methods of producing cis-diols. The present invention further relates to processes for subsequently converting such silane cis-diols to the more stable acetonide derivatives, as well as a process for converting silane cis-diols to the corresponding catechols and the compounds produced thereby. The present invention also provides chemical methods for the conversion of said silane cis-diols and acetonide compounds to epoxy, saturated and otherwise modified derivatives. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that is will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/385,373, filed Jun. 3, 2002 and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/435,187 filed Dec. 18, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to dioxygenation of aryl silanes and, more particularly, to processes for converting aryl silanes to a new class of chiral cis-diols by contact with a chemical or biological catalyst such as dioxygenase-producing bacteria in the presence of molecular oxygen (O₂) and the chiral cis-diols produced thereby. The present invention further relates to a process for subsequently converting such silane cis-diols to the more stable acetonide derivatives, as well as a process for converting silane cis-diols to the corresponding catechols by treatment with diol dehydrogenase enzyme and the compounds produced thereby. The present invention also provides chemical methods for the conversion of said silane cis-diols and acetonide compounds to epoxy, saturated and otherwise modified derivatives. The chiral intermediates produced by the process of the instant invention represent a novel class of compounds having potential value in the synthesis of fine chemicals, including pharmaceuticals. It is also contemplated that the chiral silicon materials of the present invention may find application in enantioselective separations and optical applications.

[0003] The enzymatic dioxygenation of substituted aromatics to cis-diols is known in the art as a means for synthesizing certain chiral molecules from achiral precursors. Several enzymes are known to affect this transformation, including toluene dioxygenase (EC 1.14.12.11), naphthalene dioxygenase (EC 1.14.12.12), and other aromatic oxygenases, which act on or catalyze a wide range of substrates. The following diagram illustrates this catalytic reaction:

[0004] Although the biotransformation of non silicon-containing substituted aromatics to cis-diols by enzymatic dioxygenation is known (e.g., Hudlicky T. et al., (1999) Enzymatic dihydroxylation of aromatics in enantioselective synthesis: expanding asymmetric methodology, Aldrichimica Acta, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 35-62), there is a need for processes that convert aryl silanes to chiral cis-diols or catechols and for such chiral cis-diols or catechols.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for converting an aryl silane to a corresponding cis-diol is provided. The method comprises providing an aryl silane substrate, wherein the aryl silane has at least one aromatic component and at least one silicon atom, and contacting a dioxygenase enzyme with the aryl silane substrate such that said aryl silane substrate is converted to a corresponding cis-diol. The method may further comprise reacting the cis-diol with 2,2-dimethoxypropane to convert the cis-diol to an acetonide derivative. The method may further comprises contacting a diol dehydrogenase enzyme with the cis-diol to convert the cis-diol to a corresponding catechol.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a cis-diol is provided. The cis-diol has the formula:

[0007] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.

[0008] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a cis-diol is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0009] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, except when X═C₂ alkynyl and R¹═R²═R³ then R¹═R²═R³ cannot be —CH₃.

[0010] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a silane cis-diol is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0011] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.

[0012] In accordance with the present invention, a compound comprising a silane cis-diol is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0013] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.

[0014] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a silane cis-diol is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0015] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, S, O or NR₁₋₂.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising an acetonide is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0017] wherein: R¹, R¹², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R, except when R¹═R²═R³ then R¹═R²═R³ cannot be —CH₃; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.

[0018] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising an acetonide is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0019] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, except when X═C₂ alkynyl and R¹═R²═R³ then R¹═R²═R³ cannot be —CH₃.

[0020] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising an acetonide is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0021] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising an acetonide is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0023] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.

[0024] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising an acetonide is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0025] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, S, O or NR₁₋₂.

[0026] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a catechol is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0027] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.

[0028] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a catechol is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0029] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂-3, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0030] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a catechol is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0031] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.

[0032] In accordamce with another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a catechol is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0033] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.

[0034] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a catechol is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0035] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, S, O or NR₁₋₂.

[0036] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a compound is provided. The compound comprises:

[0037] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, except that when X=nothing then R¹, R², and R³ cannot be R¹═R²═CH₃ and R³═H or R¹═R²═R³═CH₃.

[0038] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a di-O-acyl is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0039] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R⁵ is linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, halomethyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈alkynyl spacer.

[0040] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a silyl ether is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0041] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0042] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a boronate ester is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0043] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R⁵ is aryl, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0044] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an epoxy is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0045] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arne moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0046] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, an epoxy is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0047] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, except when X=nothing then R¹, R², and R³ cannot be R¹═R²═R³═CH₃.

[0048] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a partially or fully saturated compound is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0049] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0050] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a partially or fully saturated compound is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0051] wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0052] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a silanol is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0053] wherein: R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0054] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a silanol is provided. The compound has the formula:

[0055] wherein: R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0056] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, an alkoxy compound is provided. The compound comprises:

[0057] wherein: R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; R⁵ is an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0058] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an alkoxy compound is provided. The compoud comprises:

[0059] wherein: R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; R⁵ is an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0060] For purposes of defining and describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terms will be understood as being accorded the definitions presented hereinafter.

[0061] As used herein, the term “independently” or the equivalents thereof is employed to described an instance were two or more groups may be the same or different from each other and the occurrence of one group does not impact or influence the occurrence of the other group.

[0062] The term “alkyl” refers to a monovalent alkane (hydrocarbon) derived radical containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms unless otherwise defined. It may be straight or branched. Suitable straight or branched alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, 3-butyl, and t-butyl. Alkyl also includes a straight or branched alkyl group that contains or is interrupted by a cycloalkane portion.

[0063] The term “alkenyl” refers to a hydrocarbon radical straight or branched containing from 2 to 18 carbon atoms and at least one carbon to carbon double bond. Preferably one carbon to carbon double bond is present, and up to four non-aromatic (non-resonating) carbon-carbon double bonds may be present. Suitable alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl, and butenyl.

[0064] The term “alkynyl” refers to a hydrocarbon radical straight or branched containing from 2 to 18 carbon atoms and at least one carbon to carbon triple bond. Up to three carbon-carbon triple bonds may be present. Suitable alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl, and butynyl.

[0065] The term “alkoxy” refers to an alkyl group of indicated carbon atoms attached through an oxygen linkage.

[0066] The term “halogen” refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine.

[0067] The term “halomethyl” referst to a carbon with one or more halogen substituent.

[0068] The term “aryl” refers to a substituted aromatic hydrocarbon ring. Suitable aryl groups include single-ring, fused, and biphenyl aromatics.

[0069] The term “bridging group” refers to a moiety joining an aromatic and a silicon-containing functionality.

[0070] The term “arene” refers to an aromatic compound The term “spacer” refers to a group between an aromatic and a silicon-containing functionality.

[0071] The term ‘OD’ or optical density refers to the optical absorbance of a culture measured at 600 nm.

[0072] The term ‘TLC’ refers to thin layer chromatography.

[0073] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, processes that are effective in converting aryl silane substrates to silane cis-diols are provided, and silane cis-diol compositions are provided. Such processes include contacting a substrate, e.g., a compound of Formulae I-I″″ as defined below, with a catalyst such as a dioxygenase enzyme, and obtaining the desired cis-diol. The cis-diol may be obtained by recovering the resulting compound of Formulae II-II″″ as defined below. The process may further include isolating and purifying the resulting compound. It is further contemplated that the resulting compound could be used as an intermediate substrate useful in the preparation of other derivatives or end-products.

[0074] The present invention provides a method for a biological production of cis-diols from a fermentable silicon substrate by a microorganism grown with a suitable carbon source. Examples of suitable carbon sources include, but are not limited to, glucose, fructose, sucrose or glycerol and mixtures thereof. The method comprises providing a dioxygenase enzyme, contacting the dioxygenase enzyme with an aryl silane substrate, and obtaining a cis-diol from the growth media. The dioxygenase enzyme may be provided in any suitable manner. For example, the enzyme may be present in whole cells or cell-free. The term “whole cells” refers to a intact microorganism that expressed the desired enzymatic catalyst. The microorganism can be a wild type microorganism that is known to express or produce the desired enzymatic catalyst, e.g., P. putida. The term cell free refers to an extract or solution of the desired enzyme catalyst. The enzyme may be provided in a wild-type microorganism or it may be provided in a genetically altered organism harboring a gene encoding a dioxygenase enzyme. In addition to an appropriate aryl silane substrate, the fermentation media generally contains suitable carbon sources (hexoses such as glucose, pentoses such as fructose, etc.), minerals, salts, cofactors, buffers and other components, known to those skilled in the art, suitable for the growth of the cultures and promotion of the enzymatic pathway necessary for cis-diol production.

[0075] Generally, cells are grown at appropriate temperatures and in appropriate media. Suitable growth media in the present invention are minimal mineral salts media to facilitate the subsequent extraction of the products. Suitable pH ranges for the fermentation are between pH 5.0 to pH 9.0 where pH 6.8 to pH 8.0 is preferred as the initial condition.

[0076] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, aryl silanes are dioxygenated to their corresponding cis-diols. A corresponding cis-diol refers to the conversion of an aryl silane substrate by the attachment of two hydroxyl groups to adjacent carbons in a cis configuration with respect to one another by the catalytic action of a dioxygenase upon the substrate. The conversion of aryl silanes to the corresponding cis-dol derivatives results in the loss of aromaticity of the ring that underwent dioxygenation. For purposes of defining and describing the present invention, “aryl silane” shall be understood as referring to a compound containing at least one aromatic ring and at least one silicon atom. In one aspect the aromatic components include substituted single ring, fused or biphenyl aromatics. Exemplary aromatic components include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl or biphenyl derivatives having a silicon-containing group. Other exemplary aromatics include, but are not limited to, those containing additional fused heterocyclic or carbocyclic rings, e.g, silicon substituted indoles and/or indenes. The silicon atom can be contained in a silicon containing substituent, e.g. the silicon atom is either directly attached to the aromatic ring or attached through a spacer element. Such aryl silanes are available through well known synthetic methods (e.g., Murata, M. et al. (2002) Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Silylation of Aryl Halides with Triethoxysilane: Practical Synthetic Route to Aryltriethoxysilanes. Org. Letters, Vol. 4, No. 11, pp 1843-1845). Further contemplated by the present invention is the subsequent conversion of silane cis-diols to the corresponding catechols. A corresponding catechol refers to the conversion of a cis-diol substrate by the dehydrogenation of the substrate by the catalytic action of a diol dehydrogenase upon the substrate wherein the aromaticity is restored and results in the formation of a catechol derivative. A summation of these catalytic reactions is illustrated below:

[0077] The chemistry of silicon renders the intermediate silane cis-diols of the instant invention unique relative to the substituents described by the prior art, which comprise carbon, halogen, or heteroatom functionalities. For example, the scientific literature records many examples of reactions that are particular to silicon and not the corresponding carbon analogs. These reactions include hydrosilylation of alkenes and ketones, the addition of electrophiles to vinyl and allyl silanes, and palladium catalyzed cross-coupling of vinyl silanes with aryl halides (Brook, M. A., Silicon in Organic, Organometallic and Polymer Chemistry (2000), Wiley). The silane cis-diols may be used: as chiral intermediates, for synthesizing polymers, as chiral separators, to form optically active materials, to act as carbohydrate analogs, and as intermediates in natural products synthesis.

[0078] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a process is provided for conversion of a compound of the Formula (I):

[0079] into a compound of the Formula (II):

[0080] using a dioxygenase enzyme;

[0081] wherein:

[0082] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; and

[0083] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.

[0084] The present invention is not limited, however, to these particular substituents. It is therefore contemplated that the compounds of Formulas (I) and (II) can include any substituent containing at least one silicon atom and the silicon atom need not be directly bonded to the aromatic ring, which itself may be multiply substituted with a range of functionality, including additional silicon-containing groups. For example, the silicon may be included as part of a chain of between 1 and 18 carbons, including branched and unsaturated carbon chains with both double and triple bonding attached to an arene moiety substituted with a halogen or other group. Furthermore, the introduced hydroxyl groups need not be directly adjacent to the group containing silicon. For example, such hydroxyl groups could one or more carbons removed from the group containing silicon. The prior art records instances where the introduction of additional functionality such as an iodo (I) group to a monosubstituted arene alters the regioselectivity of dihydroxylation with respect to the initial functionality (see, for example, EP 717729B1 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,689, both to Boyd et al.).

[0085] In one aspect of the present invention, R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl. In another aspect of the present invention, R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl.

[0086] Examples of suitable aryl silane substrates and the corresponding cis-diols are shown below in Scheme 1. Scheme 1. Conversion of aryl silanes to cis-diol products Aryl silane substrate cis-diol product 1a

2a

1b

2b

1c

2c

1d

2d

1e

2e

1f

2f

[0087] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a process is provided for conversion of a compound of the Formula (I′):

[0088] into a compound of the Formula (II′):

[0089] using a dioxygenase enzyme;

[0090] wherein:

[0091] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0092] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0093] n is 0-5;

[0094] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³;

[0095] X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0096] However, when X═C₂ alkynyl and R¹═R²═R³ then R¹═R²═R³ cannot be —CH₃.

[0097] This aspect of the present invention is also intended to apply where compounds of formulas (I′) and (II′) occur in the context of a polymer linked through one of more of the functionalities R and R¹-R⁴. For example, the arene units of a diblock copolymer consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyphenylmethylsiloxane (PPMS) could be wholly or partially converted to the corresponding cis-diols.

[0098] In one embodiment, R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R², R³; R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and X is either a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, C₂-C₅ alkenyl, or C₂-C₅ alkynyl spacer. In yet another embodiment, R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl and R⁴ selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.

[0099] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a process is provided for conversion of a compound of the Formula (I″):

[0100] into a compound of the Formula (II″):

[0101] using a dioxygenase enzyme;

[0102] wherein:

[0103] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0104] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0105] n is 0-5; and

[0106] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.

[0107] In one embodiment, R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl. In yet another embodiment, R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.

[0108] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a process is provided for conversion of a compound of the Formula (I′″):

[0109] into a compound of the Formula (II′″):

[0110] using a dioxygenase enzyme;

[0111] wherein:

[0112] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0113] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0114] n is 0-5; and

[0115] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.

[0116] In one embodiment, R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl. In yet another embodiment, R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.

[0117] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a process is provided for conversion of a compound of the Formula (I″″):

[0118] into a compound of the Formula (II″″):

[0119] using a dioxygenase enzyme;

[0120] wherein:

[0121] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0122] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0123] n is 0-5;

[0124] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and

[0125] X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₈alkynyl spacer, S, O or NR₁₋₂.

[0126] The two hydroxyl group substituents are attached to adjacent carbons and are in a cis-configuration with respect to one another.

[0127] In one embodiment, R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and X is either a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, C₂-C₅ alkenyl, or C₂-C₅ alkynyl spacer. In yet another embodiment, R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.

[0128] It will be understood by those having skill in the art that the compounds of Formula (II)-(II″″) comprise a novel class of chiral cis-diols containing silicon. It will be further understood that the present invention encompasses the compounds of Formula (II)-(II″″). The cis-diol may be present in an enantiomeric excess of between about 10 to about 100 percent. Alternatively, the cis-diol may be present in an enantiomeric excess of between about 70 to about 100 percent, or greater than about 95 percent, or greater than about 98 percent. It will be further understood that the methods of the present invention may comprise providing a plurality of aryl silane substrates. The plurality of aryl silane substrates comprise the same aryl silane, or the plurality of aryl silane substrates comprise different aryl silanes.

[0129] The dioxygenase enzyme can be any aromatic dioxygenase enzyme, recombinant or otherwise; for example toluene dioxygenase (EC 1.14.12.11), naphthalene dioxygenase (EC 1.14.12.12), biphenyl dioxygenase (EC 1.14.12.18). It is contemplated that the dioxygenase enzyme that contacts the substrate can be in any form that effectively transforms a compound of Formula (I)-(I″″) into a compound of Formula (II)-(II″″), respectively. For example, the aromatic dioxygenase enzyme can be in the form of a cell-free extract, a synthetic form, disintegrated cells, or whole cells. For example, the dioxygenase enzyme is present in whole cells in various strains of E. coli, which express the toluene dioxygenase enzyme from P. putida. The construction of host cells expressing toluene dioxygenase JM109 (SEQ ID No. 1), e.g., containing a plasmid that expresses toluene dioxygenase is described in Zylstra, G. J. and Gibson, D. T., Toluene degradation by Pseudomonas putida F1, Nucleotide sequence of the todC1C2BADE genes and their expression in Escherichia coli, J. Biol. Chem. 264: 14940-14946 (1989), which is incorporated by reference herein. The nucleotide sequence of P. putida toluene dioxygenase and cis-toluene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (todC1C2BAD) is given below (SEQ ID No. 1) and has an accession number of J04996. 1 gaattcgttc ggcggtgcct tgtctctggc ctttgctatc cgatttccgc atcgggttcg 61 ccgcctggtg ctgatgggtg ccgttggcgt gagcttcgag ctcacggatg gactggatgc 121 agtttggggt tatgagccgt ccgtgccgaa catgcgcaag gtcatggact acttcgccta 181 cgaccgaagt ctcgtttccg acgaactggc ggaactgcgc tacaaggcga gcacccggcc 241 cggttttcag gaggccttcg cttccatgtt ccctgctccg cggcagcgct gggtagatgc 301 gctggccagt tccgatcagg acatccggga catccggcat gaaacgctga tcctgcatgg 361 ccgcgacgat cgcgtgattc ccctcgaaac ctcgttgcgg ctgaaccagc tgatcgaacc 421 ctcccagtta catgtctttg gcaggtgtgg ccattgggtg cagatcgagc aaaaccgggg 481 ctttatccgc ttggtcaacg attttcttgc cgcggaggac tgatcgcaaa aacgggaatg 541 accatccgtt ctgaaagcac gtcatcggca attgcctgcc aagtacccgc catccactac 601 cttgaaaagt gagaagacaa tgaatcagac cgacacatca cctatcaggc tgcgcaggag 661 ctggaacacc agcgagatag aagcgctctt tgacgagcat gccggacgta tcgatccgcg 721 catttatacc gatgaggatc tgtaccaact cgaactggag cgtgtcttcg cccggtcctg 781 gctgctgttg gggcatgaaa cccagattcg caagccgggc gattacatca cgacctacat 841 gggtgaagac cctgtcgtgg tcgtccggca gaaagacgcc agcattgccg tgttcctgaa 901 ccagtgccgc caccgtggca tgcgcatctg ccgcgcggat gccggaaacg cgaaggcgtt 961 cacttgcagc taccacgggt gggcttacga caccgccggc aatcttgtca atgtgcctta 1021 cgaggccgaa tccttcgcgt gcctgaacaa gaaggaatgg agcccgctga aggcccgggt 1081 agaaacctac aagggcctga ttttcgccaa ctgggatgag aacgctgtag acctcgacac 1141 gtatctgggc gaggcgaagt tctacatgga ccacatgctc gaccgcaccg aggccggcac 1201 cgaagcgatc ccgggcgtgc agaagtgggt cattccctgt aactggaaat tcgccgcaga 1261 gcagttttgc agcgacatgt accatgccgg gacgacctcg catctgtctg gcatcctggc 1321 aggcctgcca gaagaccttg aaatggccga ccttgctccg ccgacagttg gcaagcagta 1381 ccgtgcgtca tggggcggac atggaagtgg cttctatgtc ggcgacccca atctgatgct 1441 tgccatcatg gggccaaagg tcaccagcta ctggaccgaa ggccccgcgt cggaaaaggc 1501 ggccgaacgt ctgggtagcg tggagcgcgg ctcgaaactc atggtcgagc acatgaccgt 1561 cttccccacg tgttccttcc tcccaggtat caatacggtc cggacatggc atccgcgcgg 1621 gccgaacgag gtcgaggtat gggcgtttac ggtggtcgat gctgatgctc ctgacgatat 1681 caaggaagag ttccggcgcc agacgctgcg caccttctct gccggtggcg tgttcgagca 1741 ggacgacggg gagaactggg tcgagatcca gcacatcctg cgaggccaca ggcgcggag 1801 ccgccctttc aatgccgaga tgagcatgga ccagaccgtc gacaacgacc cggtttaccc 1861 cgggcggatc agcaacaacg tctacagcga ggaagctgcc cgcgggctct atgcccattg 1921 gctgcggatg atgacatccc ccgactggga cgcgctgaag gcgacacgct gaatccagag 1981 acagcttgcg ccacgcagtg gcgccggcca gaggccgcat ttgacttcga cccaggttgg 2041 atgcggtgga ccttgtccat ttgaaatcta caaggaacga ccatgattga ttcagccaac 2101 agagccgacg tctttctccg caagccggca cccgtagcgc ccgaactgca gcacgaagtc 2161 gagcagttct actattggga ggccaagctt ctcaacgatc gccgcttcga ggagtggttc 2221 gcgctgctcg cggaagacat tcactacttc atgcccattc gcaccacgcg gatcatgcgg 2281 gactcgcgcc ttgaatactc aggctcccga gagtacgcgc acttcgatga cgacgccacg 2341 atgatgaagg gacgcttgcg caagatcacg tccgacgtga gctggtccga gaaccccgca 2401 tcgcggaccc ggcatctcgt gagcaacgtg atgatcgtcg gcgcagaggc agaaggggag 2461 tacgaaatct caagcgcctt cattgtgtac cgcaatcgtc tggagcggca gctcgacatc 2521 tttgccggtg agcgtcgcga tacgttgcgc cgtaacacga gcgaggccgg gttcgagatc 2581 gtcaatcgga ccatcctgat cgaccagagc accatcctgg ccaataacct cagtttcttc 2641 ttctaggtga tgtcatgact tggacataca tattgcggca gggtgacctg ccacccggtg 2701 agatgcagcg ctacgaaggc ggcccggaac ctgtgatggt ctgcaacgtc gatggcgagt 2761 tcttcgcggt gcaggatacc tgcacgcatg gggactgggc gttgtcggat ggttacctgg 2821 acggtgatat tgtcgaatgc acgttgcatt tcggcaagtt ctgcgtgcgg accgggaagg 2881 tgaaggcgct gcctgcttgc aaacctatca aggtattccc aatcaaggtc gaaggcgatg 2941 aagtgcacgt cgatctcgac aacggggagt tgaagtgatg gctacccatg tggcgatcat 3001 cggcaatggc gtgggtggct tcacgaccgc gcaggcccta cgtgccgagg gcttcgaggg 3061 gagaatctcg ctgattgggg acgaaccgca tctcccctat gaccgaccat ccttgtccaa 3121 ggcggttctc gacggcagcc ttgagcggcc gcccatactg gccgaggccg attggtacgg 3181 cgaggcccgc atcgacatgc tgaccggccc ggaagtcact gcccttgatg tgcagacaag 3241 gacgatcagt ctggatgatg gcaccacgct ctctgcggac gccatcgtca tcgcgacggg 3301 cagtcgagcg cggacgatgg cgttgcccgg cagccaactg cccggcgtcg taacgctgcg 3361 cacctacggt gacgtgcagg tattgcgcga tagttggact tccgcgacgc ggctgctgat 3421 tgtgggtggc ggattgatcg gctgcgaggt cgcgacgacg gcgcgcaagc tcggcctgtc 3481 ggtcacgatc ctggaggcag gtgatgaact gctggtccga gtacttgggc ggcgtatcgg 3541 tgcctggctg cgcggcctgc tgacagaact tggtgtgcag gtcgagttgg gaacgggtgt 3601 cgtaggtttt tctggtgagg gccagctcga acaagtcatg gccagcgatg ggcgcagctt 3661 cgtagccgat agcgcactca tttgcgtcgg cgcggagccc gcggatcaac ttgcgcgtca 3721 agcgggcttg gcatgtgacc gcggcgtcat tgtcgatcac tgcggtgcga cgcttgccaa 3781 aggcgtattc gccgtcggag atgtggccag ttggccgctg cgcgccggcg gccggcgttc 3841 gctcgaaacc tatatgaacg cgcagcgcca agccgccgcg gtggctgcgg ccattctggg 3901 gaaaaacgta tcggcaccgc aactgcccgt gtcctggacg gagatcgctg ggcatcgcat 3961 gcagatggcg ggcgatatcg aaggacctgg tgatttcgtc tcgcgcggca tgcccggtag 4021 tggcgctgcc ctgttgttcc gcctgcagga gcgaaggatt caggcggtcg tcgcggtcga 4081 tgcaccccgt gacttcgcgc ttgcaacccg attggtagaa gcccgcgcgg caatcgagcc 4141 agcacggctg gcagatcttt caaacagtat gcgcgatttt gttcgtgcga atgaaggaga 4201 cctaacgtga gacttgaagg cgaagtggcc ttggtgacag gcggtggcgc aggcctgggc 4261 agagcgatcg tggatcgtta tgtcgcggaa ggtgcgcgtg tcgcggtgct ggataaatcc 4321 gcggcaggcc tggaagcgct caggaaactc catggcgatg caatcgtggg cgtggagggg 4381 gatgttcgct cgctcgacag ccatcgtgag gctgtggccc gctgcgtcga agcgttcggc 4441 aagctggact gcctggttgg caatgctggc gtttgggact acctgaccca actggtggat 4501 attcccgacg acctcatatc ggaggcattc gaggaaatgt tcgaggtcaa tgtcaagggc 4561 tacatcctgg cggcaaaggc tgcgctacct gcgctttatc agagcaaagg cagcgcgata 4621 ttcactgtgt cgaatgccgg tttctacccg ggcggtggcg gtgttctgta tacagctggc 4681 aaacatgccg tgattggatt gatcaagcag ctcgcgcacg aatgggggcc gcgtatccgc 4741 gtcaacggca tcgcccccgg tggcattttg gggagcgatc tgcgcgggct gaagagcctt 4801 gatttacaag acaagagcat ttcgaccttt ccattggacg acatgctgaa atccgttctt 4861 ccgaccgggc gggccgccac tgccgaggaa tacgccggcg cctatgtctt cttcgcgacg 4921 cgcggcgaca cggttccgct caccggtagc gtgttgaact tcgatggcgg catgggcgtg 4981 cgtggcttgt tcgaagccag cctaggcgca cagctcgaca agcacttcgg ttga

[0130] Additionally, the deduced amino acid sequences of P. putida toluene dioxygenase (iron-sulfur protein, ferredoxin, reductase) are given below:

[0131] Iron-Sulfur Protein Large Subunit (todC1) (SEQ ID No. 2) Start:620 Stop:197 translation= “MNQTDTSPIRLRRSWNTSEIEALFDEHAGRIDPRIYTDEDLYQLELERV FARSWLLLGHETQIRKPGDYITTYMGEDPVVVVRQKDASIAVFLNQCRHR GMRICRADAGNAKAFTCSYHGWAYDTAGNLVNVPYEAESFACLNKKEWSP LKARVETYKGLIFANWDENAVDLDTYLGEAKFYMDHMLDRTEAGTEAIPG VQKWVIPCNWKFAAEQFCSDMYHAGTTSHLSGILAGLPEDLEMADLAPPT VGKQYRASWGGHGSGFYVGDPNLMLAIMGPKVTSYWTEGPASEKAAERLG SVERGSKLMVEHMTVFPTCSFLPGINTVRTWHPRGPNEVEVWAFTVVDAD APDDIKEEFRRQTLRTFSAGGVFEQDDGENWVEIQHILRGHKARSRPFNA EMSMDQTVDNDPVYPGRISNNVYSEEAARGLYAHWLRMMTSPDWDALKAT R”

[0132] Iron-Sulfur Protein Small Subunit (todC2) (SEQ ID No. 3)

[0133] Start:2083 Stop:2646

[0134] translation= “MIDSANRADVFLRKPAPVAPELQHEVEQFYYWEAKLLNDRRFEEWFALL AEDIHYFMPIRTTRIMRDSRLEYSGSREYAHFDDDATMMKGRLRKITSDV SWSENPASRTRHLVSNVMIVGAEAEGEYEISSAFIVYRNRLERQLDIFAG ERRDTLRRNTSEAGFEIVNRTILIDQSTILANNLSFFF”

[0135] Ferredoxin (todB) (SEQ ID No. 4)

[0136] Start:2655 Stop:2978

[0137] translation= (SEQ ID NO. 5) “MTWTYILRQGDLPPGEMQRYEGGPEPVMVCNVDGEFFAVQDTCTHGDWA LSDGYLDGDIVECTLHFGKFCVRTGKVKALPACKPIKVFPIKVEGDEVHV DLDNGELK” Reductase (todA)

[0138] Start:2978 Stop:4210

[0139] translation= “MATHVAIIGNGVGGFTTAQALRAEGFEGRISLIGDEPHLPYDRPSLSKA VLDGSLERPPILAEADWYGEARIDMLTGPEVTALDVQTRTISLDDGTTLS ADAIVIATGSRARTMALPGSQLPGVVTLRTYGDVQVLRDSWTSATRLLIV GGGLIGCEVTARKLGLSVTILEAGDELLVRVLGRRIGAWLRGLLTELGVQ VELGTGVVGFSGEGQLEQVMASDGRSFVADSALICVGAEPADQLARQAGL ACDRGVIVDHCGATLAKGVFAVGDVASWPLRAGGRRSLETYMNAQRQAAA VAAAILGKNVSAPQLPVSWTEIAGHRMQMAGDIEGPGDFVSRGMPGSGAA LLFRLQERRIQAVVAVDAPRDFALATRLVEARAAIEPARLADLSNSMRDF VRANEGDLT”

[0140] Cis-Toluene Dihydrodiol Dehydrogenase (todD, gtg Start Codon) (SEQ ID No. 6)

[0141] Start:4207 Stop:5034

[0142] translation= “MRLEGEVALVTGGGAGLGRAIVDRYVAEGARVAVLDKSAAGLEALRKLH GDAIVGVEGDVRSLDSHREAVARCVEAFGKLDCLVGNAGVWDYLTQLVDI PDDLISEAFEEMFEVNVKGYILAAKAALPALYQSKGSAIFTVSNAGFYPG GGGVLYTAGKHAVIGLIKQLAHEWGPRIRVNGIAPGGILGSDLRGLKSLD LQDKSISTFPLDDMLKSVLPTGRAATAEEYAGAYVFFATRGDTVPLTGSV LNFDGGMGVRGLFEASLGAQLDKHFG”

[0143] In addition, the construction of host cells expressing naphthalene dioxygenase and biphenyl dioxygenase are described in Simon, M., et al Gene, 127:31-37 (1993); Mondello, F., J. Bacteriology, 171(3):1725-1732 (1989). U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,425 teaches a method for overexpressing a dioxygenase, and it is incorporated by reference herein.

[0144] The following dioxygenase-containing organisms can be contacted with the substrates, used to oxidize aryl silanes via enzymatic dioxygenation to their corresponding cis-diols (Whited, G. M. et al. (1994) Oxidation of 2-Methoxynaphthalene by Toluene, Naphthalene and Biphenyl Dioxygenases: Structure and Absolute Stereochemistry of Metabolites. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 2, No. 7, pp. 727-734): Strain Phenotype E. coli JM109(pDTG601) JM109 containing the structural genes for toluene dioxygenase (todC1C2BA) from Pseudomonas putida F1 in pKK223-3; dioxygenase is inducible by isopropyl-β-D- thiogalactoside (IPTG); ampicillin and carbenicillen resistant (Amp). E. coli JM109(pDTG602) JM109 containing the structural genes for toluene dioxygenase and (+)-cis- (1S, 2R)-dihydroxy-3-methylcyclohexa-3, 5-diene dehydrogenase (todC1C2BAD) from Pseudomonas putida F1 in pKK223-3; dioxygenase is inducible by isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG); ampicillin and carbenicillen resistant (Amp). Ralstonia eutropha A5 Wild strain containing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) catabolic genes Sphingomonas Mutant strain containing PCB/biphenyl yanoikuyae B8/36 catabolic genes in which dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (bphB) has been inactivated E. coil C534(ProR/Sac) C534 containing the structural genes for naphthalene dioxygenase from PpG7 (nahAaAbAcAd) in pAC1; dioxygenase is expressed constitutively (Lambda P_(L) promoter); Amp.

[0145] The process of this aspect of the present invention can be viewed as a biological production process wherein the compounds of Formulas (I)-(I″″) (a group of aryl silanes) are converted into compounds of Formulas (II)-(II″″), respectively, (a novel class of silane cis-diols) using a dioxygenase enzyme. It should be recognized that the absolute stereochemistry of the cis-diol products can vary according to the dioxygenase used (Aldrichimica Acta, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 35-62). The process may be carried out in a liquid medium, more specifically, a buffered aqueous medium. Suitable buffers can be inorganic or organic and are typically those that control the pH of the medium in the range of between about 6 and about 8. For example, the buffer may be an inorganic, alkali metal phosphate buffer such as a 100 mM phosphate buffer. The pH of the process may be maintained at a pH of about 6.8 by intermittent feeding of an inorganic base, which may be an alkali metal hydroxide such as dilute aqueous sodium or potassium hydroxide.

[0146] A co-substrate that provides for NADH recycle may optionally be added to the liquid medium. Typically, this co-substrate is a sugar or other carbon source (e.g. glycerol), which provides an economical energy source for the enzyme-producing microorganisms. Other optional co-substrates include a-ketoacids and their alkali metal salts (e.g., pyruvic acid and sodium pyruvate) and alcohols (e.g., ethanol and isopropanol).

[0147] The process involves oxidation of the compounds of Formulas (I)-(I″″) and the source of oxygen may be molecular oxygen (O₂). Therefore, during the process oxygen may be continuously introduced through the liquid medium. For example, the oxygen may be in the form of air. The process may be performed at a temperature from about 25° C. to about 50° C. or between about 30° C. and about 40° C. It will be understood that the cells of the present invention should be fed under conditions that allow the cells to sufficiently metabolize the food source and to optimize the production of the cis-diols.

[0148] When the process has proceeded for a suitable period it may be terminated by any appropriate means, for example by centrifugation or filtration and/or by cooling the broth to a temperature of less than about 5° C. The supernatant or product of Formulas (II)-(II″″) may be isolated by any convenient means, for example by solvent extraction, typically using a halocarbon solvent (e.g., CH₂Cl₂), an aromatic solvent (e.g., toluene) or an ester (e.g., ethyl acetate) following saturation with sodium chloride. The organic extract can then be dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and dried under vacuum.

[0149] In accordance with the present invention, the cis-diol-containing media can then be purified or further isolated to provide the cis-diol composition of the present invention. The inventors contemplate “isolated” as being greater than 90% [pure]. Suitable methods of purification include, but are not limited to biphasic extraction (e.g., aqueous/organic phase extraction), recrystallization from solvents and solvent mixtures known to those of skill in the art, ion exchange such as through a column containing DOWEX® resin, elution chromatography and combinations thereof. Methods of elution chromatography include, but are not limited to preparative thin-layer chromatography, conventional silica gel chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography. Purification of the cis-diol-containing compositions by any of the above mentioned means may optionally separate the residue into various fractions, each of which may function alone or in combination with any other fraction or fractions as the cis-diols of the present invention.

[0150] According to the next aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the chemical conversion of the cis-diols into more stable acetonide derivatives. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (II) is converted into the more stable acetonide derivatives of the compound of Formula (III):

[0151] in which R¹, R², and R³ are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II) with 2,2-dimethoxypropane or equivalent reagents (e.g. 2-methoxypropene). However, when R¹═R²═R³ then R¹═R²═R³ cannot be —CH₃.

[0152] The compounds of Formula (II) may be supplied in a solution of 2,2-dimethoxypropane, which may also contain trace amounts of Amberlite 118-H⁺ acid resin. The reaction generally takes place over a period of several hours. The reaction mixture may then be filtered, followed by evaporation of the solvent. The crude acetonides produced by the instant process of the present invention can be purified by any appropriate method.

[0153] The instant conversion reaction of silane cis-diols (the compound of Formula (II)) to the acetonide derivatives (the compound of Formula (III)) is illustrated in the diagram below.

[0154] Confirmation of the identity of the acetonide derivative compounds may be obtained by analysis of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. The present invention includes the compounds produced by this transformation.

[0155] Examples of suitable cis-diol substrates and the corresponding acetonide derivatives are shown below in Scheme 2. Scheme 2. Acetonide derivatives of cis-diols cis-diol substrate Acetonide derivative 2a

3a

2b

3b

2c

3c

2d

3d

2e

3e

2f

3f

[0156] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (II′) is converted into the more stable acetonide derivatives of the compound of Formula (III′):

[0157] in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴, X, and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II′) with 2,2-dimethoxypropane or equivalent reagents (e.g. 2-methoxypropene). However, when X═C₂ alkynyl and R¹═R²═R³ then R¹═R²═R³ cannot be —CH₃.

[0158] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (II″) is converted into the more stable acetonide derivatives of the compound of Formula (III″):

[0159] in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II″) with 2,2-dimethoxypropane or equivalent reagents (e.g. 2-methoxypropene).

[0160] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (II′″) is converted into the more stable acetonide derivatives of the compound of Formula (III′″):

[0161] in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II′″) with 2,2-dimethoxypropane or equivalent reagents (e.g. 2-methoxypropene).

[0162] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (II″″) is converted into the more stable acetonide derivatives of the compound of Formula (III″″):

[0163] in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴, X, and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II″″) with 2,2-dimethoxypropane or equivalent reagents (e.g. 2-methoxypropene).

[0164] In accordance with the present invention, further contemplated is the conversion of aryl silanes to catechols through the cis-diols. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an aryl silane of Formula (I) is converted to a catechol of Formula (IV) through the cis-diols compounds of Formula (II). The process results in the biocatalytic synthesis of a compound of Formula (IV):

[0165] in which R¹, R², and R³ are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II) with a diol dehydrogenase enzyme. It is contemplated that a strain of E. coli possessing both the toluene dioxygenase gene as well as a diol dehydrogenase gene can be used to convert aryl silanes (the compounds of Formula (I)) to the corresponding catechols (the compounds of Formula (IV)). Suitable diol dehydrogenases may be found in E.C. 1.3.1.19. For example the plasmid TDTG602 which may have the gene todC12BAD may be used in accordance with the present invention. Suitable diol dehydrogenases are found in Zylstra, G. J. and Gibson, D. T., Toluene degradation by Pseudomonas putida F1, Nucleotide sequence of the todC1C2BADE genes and their expression in Escherichia coli, J. Biol. Chem. 264: 14940-14946 (1989), which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0166] Examples of suitable cis-diol substrates and the corresponding catechols are shown below in Scheme 3. Scheme 3. Conversion of silane cis-diols to silane catechols cis-diol substrate Catechol derivative 2a

4a

2b

4b

[0167] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an aryl silane of formula (I′) is converted to a catechol of formula (IV′) through the cis-diols compounds of Formula (II′). The process results in the biocatalytic synthesis of a compound of Formula (IV′):

[0168] in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴, X, and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II′) with a diol dehydrogenase enzyme.

[0169] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an aryl silane of formula (I″) is converted to a catechol of formula (IV″) through the cis-diols compounds of Formula (II″). The process results in the biocatalytic synthesis of a compound of Formula (IV″):

[0170] in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II″) with a diol dehydrogenase enzyme.

[0171] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an aryl silane of formula (I′″) is converted to a catechol of formula (IV′″) through the cis-diols compounds of Formula (II′″). The process results in the biocatalytic synthesis of a compound of Formula (IV′″):

[0172] in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II′″) with a diol dehydrogenase enzyme.

[0173] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an aryl silane of Formula (I″″) is converted to a catechol of Formula (IV″″) through the cis-diols compounds of Formula (II″″). The process results in the biocatalytic synthesis of a compound of Formula (IV″″):

[0174] in which R¹, R², R³, R⁴, X and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II′) with a diol dehydrogenase enzyme.

[0175] In accordance with the present invention, the transformation of additional aryl silanes to cis-diols, including bis-aryl silanes such as 2-(diphenylmethylsilyl)ethanol and the compounds produced thereby, is further contemplated. The oxidation of a single aryl ring will result in materials possessing chirality around the silicon atom, as well as two new stereogenic carbon centers.

[0176] In accordance with the present invention, further contemplated are additional chemical transformations of the cis-diols and acetonides of the present invention. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the cis-diol acetonides may be used to form cycloadducts by allowing the concentrated cis-diol acetonide to stand at room temperature. For example, Scheme 4 illustrates the formation of cycloadducts.

[0177] It will be understood that the cis-diol acetonides of Formulas (III)-(III″″) may be used to form cycloadducts in accordance with the present invention.

[0178] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the derivatization or reaction of the hydroxyl groups of the cis-diol is contemplated. Suitable methods for the derivatization and protection are detailed in T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wits, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 3^(rd) ed. (1999), Wiley, New York and is incorporated by reference herein. For example, as discussed above, the hydroxyl groups of the cis-diols may be derivatized to form the acetonides of Formulas (III-III″″). Additionally, the hydroxyl groups of the cis-diols may be derivatized using any alkylidene group in a manner similar to the formation of the acetonides. The alkylidene may be any suitable alkylidene. For example, the alkylidene may be benzyldene or ethylidene.

[0179] In another example, at least one of the hydroxyl groups of the cis-diol may be removed. For example, the cis-diols may be reacted to give phenols of the formula

[0180] wherein:

[0181] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C2-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0182] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0183] n is 0-5;

[0184] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³;

[0185] X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0186] However, when X=nothing then R¹, R², and R³ cannot be R¹═R²═CH₃ and R³═H or R¹═R²═R³═CH₃.

[0187] For example, the derivatives may be of the formula

[0188] which may be made by reacting the appropriate cis-diol with H⁺ in water.

[0189] In a further example, the hydroxyl groups of the cis-diols may be derivatized to form a di-O-acyl derivative. The acyl may be any suitable acyl functionality. For example, the acyl may be a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl. For example, the di-O-acyl derivative may be a derivative of the formula:

[0190] wherein:

[0191] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0192] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0193] n is 0-5;

[0194] R⁵ is linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, halomethyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl;

[0195] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and

[0196] X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0197] For example, the di-O-acyl may be

[0198] which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) with pyridine and acetic anhydride and then extracting the reaction mixture with ethyl acetate.

[0199] In yet another example, the hydroxyl groups of the cis-diol could be derivatized to form a silyl ether. For example, the silyl ether may be a derivative of the formula:

[0200] wherein:

[0201] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0202] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0203] n is 0-5;

[0204] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and

[0205] X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0206] For example, the silyl ether may be

[0207] which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) with t-BuMe₂SiCl, dimethylformamide, and imidazole.

[0208] In a further example, the hydroxy groups of the cis-diols may be derivatized by forming a boronate ester. For example, the boronate ester may be an ester of the formula

[0209] wherein:

[0210] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0211] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0212] n is 0-5;

[0213] R⁵ is aryl, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl;

[0214] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and

[0215] X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0216] For example, the boronate ester may be

[0217] which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) with phenylboronic acid (PhB(OH)₂).

[0218] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the oxidation of the double bonds of the cis-diols and acetonides of the present invention to the corresponding epoxy derivatives is contemplated. For example, the cis-diol may have the double bond oxidized to form epoxy derivatives of the formulas:

[0219] wherein:

[0220] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0221] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0222] n is 0-5;

[0223] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and

[0224] X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0225] For example, the epoxy derivatives may be

[0226] which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) with m-choloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA).

[0227] For example, the acetonides of the present invention may have the double bond oxidized to form epoxy derivatives of the formulas:

[0228] wherein:

[0229] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0230] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0231] n is 0-5;

[0232] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and

[0233] X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0234] However, when X=nothing then R¹, R², and R³ cannot be R¹═R²═R³═CH₃.

[0235] For example, the epoxy derivatives may be

[0236] wherein R═H and OH.

[0237] which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol acetonide (3b) with m-CPBA.

[0238] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the reduction of one or both of the double bonds of the cis-diols and acetonides of the present invention to the corresponding partially or fully saturated materials are contemplated. For example, the cis-diol may have at least one of the double bonds reduced to form partially or fully saturated material of the formulas:

[0239] wherein:

[0240] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0241] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0242] n is 0-5;

[0243] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and

[0244] X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.

[0245] For example, the partially or fully saturated derivatives may be

[0246] which may be made by exposing dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) to hydrogen gas or through the diimide procedure using potassium azodicarbonamide in acetic acid. (Pasto., D. J. “Reduction with Diimide” Organic. Reactions, 1991, 40, 91.)

[0247] For example, the acetonide may have at least one the double bonds reduced to form partially or fully saturated material of the formulas:

[0248] wherein:

[0249] R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C2-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0250] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0251] n is 0-5;

[0252] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and

[0253] X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈alkynyl spacer.

[0254] For example, the derivative may be

[0255] which may be made by exposing dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol acetonide (4b) to hydrogen gas or diimide.

[0256] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, cis-diols and acetonides having a hydrosilane function may be derivatized by reacting the hydrosilane function. For example, the cis-diol or acetonide may have formulas of:

[0257] wherein:

[0258] R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R;

[0259] R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;

[0260] n is 0-5;

[0261] R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and

[0262] X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈alkynyl spacer.

[0263] For example, the cis-diol or acetonide having a hydrosilane function may by hydrolyzed to a corresponding silanol. For example, the cis-diol of Formula (XIa) may be hydrolyzed to a silanol of the formula

[0264] wherein R¹, R², R⁴, X, and n are as defined above with respect to Formula (XIa). The acetonide of Formula (XIb) may be hydrolyzed to a silanol of the formula

[0265] wherein R¹, R², R⁴, X, and n are as defined above with respect to Formula (XIb). For example, the silanol may be

[0266] which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) with NaOH, ACN/H₂O. The silanol may be further condensed to form

[0267] In a further example, the silanol may be

[0268] which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol acetonide (4b) with ACN and H₂O at a pH of greater than about 9. The silanol may be further condensed to form

[0269] In another example, the cis-diol or acetonide having a hydrosilane function may be subject to alcoholysis to form an alkoxy derivative. For example, the cis-diol of Formula (XIa) or the acetonide of Formula (XIb) may be subject to alcoholysis to form a alkoxy derivatives of the formulas

[0270] wherein R¹, R², R⁴, X, and n are as defined above with respect to Formulae (XIa, XIb), and R⁵ is an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl. For example, the alkoxy derivative may be

[0271] which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol acetonide with ethyl alcohol and sodium metal. In a further example, the alkoxy derivative may be

[0272] which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol acetonide with isopropyl alcohol and Pt(IV).

[0273] In a further example, the cis-diol or acetonide bearing either hydrosilane or vinylsilane functionality are subjected to hydrosilylation reactions resulting in the formation of a silicon-carbon bond.

[0274] Scheme 5 shown below illustrates a number of the reactions of dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) as discussed above.

[0275] Scheme 6 shown below illustrates a number of the reactions of dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol acetonide (3b) discussed above.

[0276] In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference is made to the following examples, which are intended to be illustrative of the invention, but are not intended to be limiting in scope.

EXAMPLE 1

[0277] Conversion of the six aryl silanes illustrated in Scheme 1 to the corresponding cis-diols was done using E. coli strain JM109 (pDTG601) expressing the P. putida F1 toluene dioxygenase genes (todC1C2BA) (SEQ ID No. 1). Cells were grown in minimal salts broth (MSB) in either a shake flask or 14 L fermentor and harvested upon attaining OD 70 (Hudlicky, T. et al. (1999) Organic Syntheses, Vol. 76, 77). The cell mass was resuspended in 100 mM phosphate buffer having a pH of 7.4 and containing 5 g/L glucose to OD 35. Aryl silane substrates (1-20 g/L) were added and the mixtures were incubated at 37° C. at 225 rpm for 6 hours. The pH of the mixture was adjusted back up to pH 7.4 after an initial 2 hour incubation.

[0278] The whole broth was then centrifuged to remove the cells and the supernatant separated and extracted with ethyl acetate following saturation with sodium chloride. The organic extract was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The remaining material was subjected to 300 MHz NMR and GC/MS analysis to determine the extent of conversion to the cis-diol products. The products are illustrated above in Scheme 1.

[0279] The products were analyzed. Dimethylphenylvinylsilane cis-diol (2a) [(1S, 2S)-3-(dimethylvinylsilyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 6.21, dd, J=24.5, 14.4 Hz, H3′; 6.11, dt, J=1.6, 6.3 Hz H4; 5.96, dd, J=14.4, 4.1 Hz, H2′; 5.90, ddd, H5; 5.80, ddd, H6; 5.71, dd, J=24.5, 4.1 Hz, H1′; 4.02, m, H2; 3.96, m, H1; 0.18, s, 6H, SiMe. GC/MS: 178 [M-18]⁺.

[0280] Dimethylphenylsilane cis-diol (2b) [[(1S, 2S)-3-(dimethylsilyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 6.27, dt, J=1.5, 6.3 Hz H4; 5.98, dd, J=14.4, 4.1 Hz, H5; 5.95, ddd, H6; 4.20, dd, J=10.5, 2.2 Hz, H1; 4.17, sept, J=6.0 Hz, SiH; 4.07, bdd, J=10.5, 6.0 Hz, H2; 0.21, d, 6H, SiMe. GC/MS: 152 [M-18]⁺.

[0281] Phenyltrimethylsilane cis-diol (2c) [[(1S, 2S)-3-(trimethylsilyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 6.21, dt, J=5.0, 1.0 Hz H4; 5.97, ddd, J=9.5, 6.3, 1.4 Hz, H5; 5.88, dddd, H6; 4.06, m, 2H, H1, 2; 0.05, d, 6H, SiMe. GC/MS: 166 [M-18]⁺.

[0282] Benzyltrimethylsilane cis-diol (2d) [[(1S, 2S)-3-(trimethylsilylmethyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 5.87, ddd, J=9.5, 5.3, 2.1 Hz, H5; 5.61, bdd, J=3.1 Hz, H6; 5.55, bdd, H4; 4.21, m, H1; 3.78, d, J=6.0 Hz, H2; 1.78, 1.68, 2d, J=13.6 Hz, SiCH₂; 0.04, s, 9H, SiMe. GC/MS: 180 [M-18]⁺. Methylphenylvinylsilane cis-diol (2e) [[(1S, 2S)-3-(methylvinylsilyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 6.27, m, (R,S)-H4; 6.21, 6.20, 2dd, J=20.1, 14.6 Hz, (R,S)-H3′; 6.08, 6.06, 2dd, J=14.6, 4.7 Hz; 6.03, m, 2H, (R,S)-H5, 6; 5.85, 5.84, 2dd, J=20.1, 4.5 Hz, (R,S)-H1′; 4.35, m, 2H, (R,S)-H2, SiH; 4.15, m, (R,S)-H1; 0.32, 0.31, 2d, J=3.6 Hz, SiMe. GC/MS: 164 [M-18]⁺. (Chloromethyl)dimethylphenylsilane cis-diol (2f) GC/MS: 166 [M-18]⁺.

EXAMPLE 2

[0283] The bioconversion of cis-diols was performed in a shake flask. Cells for transformation in shake flask were grown either in separate shake flask culture or in a 14L fermentor (see Example 3). For the shake flask, 0.5 L MSB media with ampicillin (100 μg/mL) in a 2.8 L baffled Fernbach flask was inoculated with 1 mL of a fresh seed culture of JM109 (pDTG601) or JM109 (pDTG602) placed in a orbital shaker/incubator (250 rpm, 37° C.). After 4-6 hours the cells were induced with IPTG (10 mg/L) and incubated an additional 6-8 hours until OD₆₀₀=1.0. For the 14L fermentor method, cells were harvested at OD₆₀₀=30-60. Cells were collected by centrifugation and resuspended in transformation buffer (200 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.0, 0.4% glucose) to OD₆₀₀=10. Tranformations were done in a baffled Erlenmeyer flask equipped with a vapor bulb (Hudlicky, T. et al. Organic Syntheses, Vol. 76, 77), with the substrates (0.88 mg/mL) being added directly to the broth or to the vapor bulb and contacted with the cells for 3-4 hours (300 rpm, 37° C.). The products were extracted from the whole broth with dichloromethane. The organic extract was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give the cis-diol products as oils.

EXAMPLE 3

[0284] A scaled-up conversion of dimethylphenylvinylsilane to the corresponding cis-diol in a 14L fermentor was performed. Dimethylphenylvinylsilane (1a) (25 g, 0.15 mol) was contacted with cells of an E coli. strain expressing the dioxygenase JM109(pDTG601) that had been grown in a 14 L stirred fermentor at pH 7.0 and 37° C. to an OD of over 20. The silane was introduced into the fermentor at a rate such as to not adversely alter the viability of the bacterial cells, typically at or below 1 mL/min. The extent of conversion was followed by ¹H NMR and GC/MS analysis of samples drawn from the fermentor until no dimethylphenylvinylsilane was detected. At that point the broth was collected and the cells removed by centrifugation. The supernatant was passed through a 10K cutoff size exclusion filter and extracted three times with ethyl acetate (1 L). The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to give the corresponding cis-diol (2a) as a dark oil (12 g, 40%).

[0285] In a similar manner to that described above dimethylphenylsilane (1b) (50 g, 0.37 mol) was converted to the cis-diol (2b) as a tan oil that slowly crystallized in the refrigerator (36 g, 64%).

[0286] In a similar manner to that described above benzyltrimethylsilane (1d) (25 g, 0.15 mol) was converted to the cis-diol (2d) (8 g, 22%).

[0287] The enantiomeric excess (% ee) and absolute configuration of purified diols cis-(1S,2S)-3-(dimethylvinylsilyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol (2a) and cis-(1S,2S)-3-(dimethylsilyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol (2b) is greater than 98% ee as determined by the ¹H NMR method of Resnick et al. (Resnick, S. M.; Torok, D. S.; Gibson, D. T. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 60, 3546-3549).

EXAMPLE 4

[0288] The cis-diols (2a-e) were converted to acetonide derivatives (3a-e) as shown in Scheme 2. The cis-diols were converted to the more stable acetonide derivatives by treatment of a solution of the diol in 2,2-dimethoxypropane with a trace of Amberlite 118-H⁺ acid resin over several hours. Filtration of the reaction mixture was followed by evaporation of the solvent. The crude acetonides were purified on a silica gel column by elution with ethyl acetate/hexane (1:9). Analysis of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra confirmed the identity of the compounds.

[0289] Dimethylphenylvinylsilane cis-diol acetonide (3a) [cis-4-(dimethylvinylsilyl)-2,2-dimethyl-3a,7a-dihydro-1,3-benzodioxazole] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.21, dd, J=19.8, 14.7 Hz, H3′; 6.21, dt, J=5.3, 0.9 Hz, H5; 6.01, dd, J=14.7, 4.1 Hz, H2′; 5.99, ddd, J=9.3, 5.3, 1.0 Hz, H6; 5.87, ddd, J=9.3, 3.6, 1.0 Hz, H7; 5.74, dd, J=19.8, 4.4 Hz, H1′; 4.74, dd, J=9.0, 0.9 Hz, H3a; 4.59, ddd, J=9.0, 3.6, 1.0 Hz, H7a; 1.35, 1.31, 2s, 6H; 0.18, 2s, 6H, SiMe.

[0290] Dimethylphenylsilane cis-diol acetonide (3b) [cis-4-(dimethylsilyl)-2,2-dimethyl-3a,7a-dihydro-1,3-benzodioxazole] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.23, bd, J=5.6 Hz, H5; 6.01, dd, J=9.8, 5.6 Hz, H6; 5.94, dd, J=9.8, 1.2 Hz, H7; 4.72, bd, J=9.0 Hz, H3a; 4.54, dd, J=9.0, 4.0 Hz, H7a; 4.12, sept, J=4.0 Hz, SiH; 1.37, 1.35, 2s, 6H; 0.21, 2d, 6H, SiMe.

[0291] Phenyltrimethylsilane cis-diol acetonide (3c) [cis-4-(trimethylsilyl)-2,2-dimethyl-3a,7a-dihydro-1,3-benzodioxazole] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ6.20, dt, J=5.6, 0.9 Hz, H5; 6.01, ddd, J=9.9, 5.4, 0.9 Hz, H6; 5.86, ddd, J=9.9, 3.8, 1.0 Hz, H7; 4.74, dd, J=9.0, 0.8 Hz, H3a; 4.59, ddd, J=9.0, 3.6, 0.8 Hz, H7a; 1.31, 1.36, 2d, 6H; 0.13, s, 9H, SiMe.

[0292] Methylphenylvinylsilane cis-diol acetonide (4d) [cis-4-[(R,S)-methylvinylsilyl]-2,2-dimethyl-3a,7a-dihydro-1,3-benzodioxazole] ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ6.28, 6.25, 2bd, (R,S)-H5; 6.20, 6.19, 2ddd, J=19.1, 14.3, 1.7 Hz, (R,S)-H3′; 6.07, 6.05, 2dd, J=14.3, 4.3 Hz, (R,S)-H2′; 6.02, bdd, 9.6, 4.8 Hz, (R,S)-H6; 5.95, bddd, J=9.6, 3.9, 1.3 Hz, (R,S)-H7; 5.86, 5.85, 2ddd, J=19.6, 4.3, 3.6 Hz, (R,S)-H1′; 4.72, bdt, J=8.4, 1.1 Hz, (R,S)-H3a; 4.53, 4.52, 2dd, J=8.4, 2.1 Hz, (R,S)-H7a; 4.30, bdq, J=3.6 Hz, SiH; 1.38, 1.36, 2bs, 6H; 0.31, 2d, J=3.7 Hz, SiMe.

EXAMPLE 5

[0293] The conversion of cis-diols to catechol derivatives was performed. Conversion of cis-diols to the corresponding catechols was effected using E. coli strain JM109 (pDTG602) expressing the (+)-cis-(1S, 2R)-dihydroxy-3-methylcyclohexa-3,5-diene dehydrogenase gene (todD) from Pseudomonas putida F1. Transformations were conducted in a shake flask as described in Example 2. Dimethylphenylvinylsilane cis-diol (2a) or dimethylphenylsilane cis-diol (2b) was added directly to the re-suspended cells (1-2 mg diol/mL transformation broth) and incubated for 3-4 hours. The whole broth was extracted with ethyl acetate for analysis of the products. TLC: extracts of both transformations (silica gel, chloroform:acetone, 4:1) showed two UV-active bands at R_(f)≈0.4 and 0.6, the latter turning dark brown immediately after treatment with Gibbs reagent (0.1% 2, 6-dichloroquinone chlorimide in ethanol). GC/MS: 1-dimethylvinylsilyl-2,3-benezene diol (4a): m/z (rel. intensity) 194 (M⁺, 4%), 166 (100%); 1-dimethylsilyl-2,3-benzene diol (4b): m/z (rel. intensity) 168 (M⁺, 42%), 153 (96%), 75 (100%).

EXAMPLE 6

[0294] Cycloadducts (5a,b) of silane cis-diol acetonides as shown in Scheme 4 were produced. The dimethylphenylvinylsilyl cis-diol acetonide (3a) was found to form a novel product when left to stand at room temperature in concentrated form over the course of a week or more. Purification of the material by column chromatography on silica gel gave the cycloadduct (5a) as a colorless oil. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.30, 6.18, 2dd, J=20, 14.4 Hz, 2H; 5.86-6.10, m, 5H; 7.72, 5.65, 2dd, J=20, 3.8 Hz, 2H; 4.18-4.28, m, 3H; 4.01, dd, J=5.2, 3.4 Hz, 1H; 2.90, m, H4; 2.38, bdd, J=8.7, 3.2 Hz, H4′; 2.05, bd, H5′; 1.32, 1.30, 1.23, 1.21, 4s, 12H; 0.24, 0.22, 0.16, 0.15, 4s, 12H, SiMe.

[0295] In the same manner as described above dimethylsilyl cis-diol acetonide (3b) was converted into the cycloadduct (5b). The material was purified as previously described to give a colorless oil. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃); δ6.10, dd, J=4.0, 1.4 Hz, H4′; 6.04, bt, J=8 Hz, H5; 5.83, d, J=8 Hz, H4; 4.10-4.30, m, 4H, H1,2, 1′,2′; 4.09, septuplet, 2H, J=3.8 Hz, SiH; 2.86, m, H6; 2.36, dd, J=9.0, 3.8 Hz, H5′; 2.18, bd, J=9.0 Hz, H6′; 1.25, 1.22, 1.21, 12H; 0.22, 0.21, 0.17, 3d, 12H, SiMe. GC/MS;

EXAMPLE 7

[0296] Epoxy derivatives of the dimethylsilyl cis-diol acetonide (3b) as shown in Scheme 6 were produced. A solution of the acetonide (3b) (90 mg, 0.43 mmol) in dichloromethane (4 mL) was contacted with 2 mol equivalents of m-chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA) at −10° C. After disappearance of the starting material (TLC), the reaction was extracted with saturated NaHCO₃ and the organic extract concentrated to give an oil. Purification on silica gel (hexane to hexane/EtOAc 2:1) gave a first a pair of epoxy hydrosilanes (6a, 7a, 2:1)(20 mg, 20%) followed by a pair of epoxy silanols (6b, 7b, 2:1)(41 mg, 39%). The 1,6-epoxy regioisomers were the major products. ¹H NMR (300 MHz) 6a: δ 6.05, ddd, J=10.3, 6.2, 1.7 Hz, H5; 5.76, dm, J=10.3 Hz; H6; 4.70, bd, J=6.0 Hz, H2; 4.36, dt, J=7.2, 2.4 Hz, H1; 4.01, sept, J=3.9 Hz, SiH; 3.16, dt, J=6.6, 1.2 Hz, H4; 1.36, 2s, 6H; 0.2, 2s, 6H, SiMe. 6b: δ6.05, ddd, J=10.3, 6.2, 1.7 Hz, H5; 5.77, dm, J=10.3 Hz; H6; 4.76, bd, J=7.0 Hz, H2; 4.37, dt, J=7.2, 2.4 Hz, H1; 3.25, dt, J=6.6, 1.2 Hz, H4; 2.4-2.8, b, 1H, SiOH; 1.36, 2s, 6H; 0.28, 0.22, 2s, 6H, SiMe. 7a: δ6.31, dd, J=5.4, 1.7 Hz, H4; 4.73, dd, J=7.2, 2.4 Hz, H2; 4.54, dd, J=7.2, 1.8 Hz, H1; 4.11, sept, J=3.9 Hz, SiH; 3.55, dd, J=5.4, 1.9 Hz, H6; 3.29, td, J=5.4, 1.2 Hz, H5; 1.38, s, 6H; 0.2, 2s, 6H, SiMe. 7b: δ6.31, dd, J=5.4, 1.7 Hz, H4; 4.76, d, J=7.0 Hz, H2; 4.63, dd, J=7.0, 1.9 Hz, H1; 3.54, dd, J=5.4, 1.9 Hz, H6; 3.29, td, J=5.4, 1.2 Hz, H5; 2.4-2.8, b, 1H, SiOH; 1.39, 2s, 6H; 0.22, 0.21, 2s, 6H, SiMe.

EXAMPLE 8

[0297] The dimethylsilyl cis-diol acetonide (3b) was reacted with sodium ethoxide. Freshly cut sodium (113 mg, 4.9 mmol) was added to anhydrous ethanol (freshly distilled from Mg) under an inert atmosphere. After all reaction had ceased, the solution was cooled in an ice/salt bath and the acetonide (3b) (155 mg, 0.74 mmol) was added. TLC soon after addition showed no starting material and a major product (R_(f) 0.57, silica gel, hexanes:MTBE, 2:1, visualization: KMnO₄). The reaction was quenched with acetic acid (5.1 mmol), allowed to come to ambient temperature, diluted with dichloromethane, filtered and evaporated. ¹H-NMR showed a compound identified as the ethoxysilane (8) as shown below. ¹H NMR (300 MHz) δ 6.18, d, 1H; 5.9, m, 1H; 5.7, m, 1H; 4.7, d, 1H; 4.55, d, 1H; 1.6, m; 0.02, d, 6H.

EXAMPLE 9

[0298] The dimethylsilyl cis-diol acetonide (3b) was reacted with isopropanol. A solution of the cis-diol acetonide (3b) (100 mg, 0.48 mmol) in isopropanol (3 mL) was treated with chloroplatinic acid (H₂PtCl₄, 0.005 mol %) at 50° C. over 24 h. TLC indicated the disappearance of the starting material and the formation of a new product. The reaction mixture was concentrated and purified on silica gel (ethyl acetate/hexane, 1:10) to give the isopropoxysilane (9) as a colorless oil. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ6.32, bd, J=5.4 Hz, H5; 6.00, ddd, J=9.6, 5.4, 1.2 Hz, H6; 5.90, ddd, J=9.8, 3.6, 1.2 Hz, H7; 4.70, dd, J=8.8, 1.0 Hz, H3a; 4.59, ddd, J=8.8, 3.8, 1.2 Hz, H7a; 4.03, sept, J=6.2 Hz, Me₂CH; 1.37, 1.36, 2s, 6H; 1.14, 1.15, 2d, J=6.2 Hz, Me₂CH; 0.26, 0.24, 2s, 6H, SiMe.

EXAMPLE 10

[0299] The hydrogenation of the dimethylsilyl cis-diol acetonide (3b) was performed. The acetonide (3b) (130 mg, 0.7 mmol) was dissolved in MTBE in a test tube. 5% rhodium on alumina (30 mg) was added and the mixture was hydrogenated on a Parr-shaker at 65 psi under hydrogen gas (H₂) for 24 hrs. The mixture was filtered through celite and dried under reduced pressure. Solvent exchange using 3 dissolution/dry-down cycles with deuterochloroform successfully purged the product of MTBE. Analysis by ¹H-NMR showed mostly the completely saturated analogue. Decoupling experiments demonstrated that the hydrosilane functionality was intact. GC/MS showed that the major component was the hexahydroaromatic: m+/e 199 (—CH₃), and 156 (—C₃H₆O). The products shown below were present.

EXAMPLE 11

[0300] The conversion of a cis-diol acetonide to the silanol (11) was performed. A solution of the acetonide (3b) (90 mg, 0.43 mmol) in DCM/ACN (4 mL, 1:1) was contacted with a 1 N NaOH solution (4 mL) with stirring over 2 h. TLC indicated the consumption of the starting material and the appearance of two new compounds. The reaction mixture was diluted with DCM (10 mL) and the organic layer isolated and washed with water and saturated brine solution. The organic extract was then dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give a mixture of the silanol (11a) and the disiloxane (11b) as an oil (65 mg, 4:1). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) 1a: 6.23, dt, 1H; 6.04, dd, 1H; 5.95, ddd, 1H; 4.83, dd, 1H; 4.56, dd, 1H; 2.50, bs, 1H; 1.36, s, 6H: 0.26, 0.25, 2s, 6H. 11b: 6.26, dm, 1H; 5.97, m, 1H; 5.88, ddd, 1H; 4.71, dd, 1H; 4.56, m, 1H; 1.35, 2s, 6H: 0.22, s, 6H.

EXAMPLE 12

[0301] The hydrosilylation of cis-diol acetonides may be performed. The cis-diol acetonides of this invention bearing either hydrosilane or vinylsilane functionality may be subjected to hydrosilylation reactions resulting in the formation of a silicon-carbon bond. For example the acetonide (3b) is contacted with an olefin and Wilkinsons catalyst [(Ph₃P)₃RhCl] in an appropriate solvent to yield a silane containing an additional silicon-carbon bond.

EXAMPLE 13

[0302] The reduction of the dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol 2b with diimide was performed. The diol (2b) was treated with diimide (N₂H₂) generated using freshly prepared potassium azodicarbonamide in acetic acid. Many products were observed on TLC. Column chromatography on silica gel using ether in hexanes yielded a small amount of crystalline material that was impure by ¹H-NMR analysis. However, it appears that the major component was the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocyclohex-5-ene-1,2-cis-diol (12). The silicon hydride appears to have been hydrolyzed, presumably to either the silanol or the disiloxane as shown below. ¹H NMR (300 MHz): δ 5.83-5.91, d of p, 1H; 5.5-5.56, d of m, 1H; 4.17, bs, 1H; 4.06, bs, 1H; 3.92, sext., 1H.

EXAMPLE 14

[0303] The hydrogenation of the dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) was performed. The diol (180 mg, 1 mmol) was hydrogenated over 5% rhodium on alumina (35 mg). After 24 hours, the mixture was filtered through celite and dried in vacuo. The ¹H NMR spectrum showed what appeared to be the 1,2,5,6-tetrahydrocyclohex-3-ene (13a): 6.16 ppm, d of t. Some fully saturated material (13b) must also be present judging from the signal at 1.12 ppm, d of d, representing the methine hydrogen next to the silicon. Again, although more that 2 methyl signals are apparent, all are split, indicating that the hydrosilane groups are intact. The products are shown below.

EXAMPLE 15

[0304] The acetylation of the dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol was performed. The dimethylsilyl cis-diol (2b) (370 mg, 2.1 mmol) was treated with pyridine (3 mL) and acetic anhydride (2 mL) at ice bath temperature for 30 minutes, and then for a further 2 hours a room temperature. The reaction mixture was diluted with water (50 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×20 mL). The organic extract was washed sequentially with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and brine and dried over sodium sulfate. The extract was then filtered and concentrated with the aid of toluene to remove traces of pyridine and acetic acid. The residue was purified on a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane, 1:9 to 2:3) to give the diacetate (14) as an oil as shown below. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, d₆-DMSO): δ 6.42, dt, J=5.0, 1.5 Hz, H4; 6.22, ddd, J=9.2, 5.0, 1.2 Hz, H5; 6.01, ddd, J=9.2, 5.0, 1.2 Hz, H6; 5.56, dd, J=5.8, 2.3 Hz, H2; 5.36, ddd, J=5.8, 5.0, 1.2 Hz, H1; 4.36, sept, J=3.8 Hz, SiH; 2.01, 1.96, 2s, 6H, Ac; 0.29, d, 6H, SiMe.

EXAMPLE 16

[0305] The dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol was converted to the silanol (15). A solution of the dimethylsilyl cis-diol (2b) (500 mg, 2.9 mmol) in a mixture of acetonitrile/water (5 mL, 4:1) was treated with 1 N sodium hydroxide (300 μL) at room temperature. A gas was immediately seen to form and TLC indicated the formation of a new lower Rf compound. Reverse phase chromatography on C18 silica gave the silanol (15) as a tan colored oil as shown below. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 6.18, m, H4; 5.90, m, H5; 5.86, m, H6; 4.05, m, H2; 3.95, m, H1; 0.18, s, 6H, SiMe.

EXAMPLE 17

[0306] The silane cis-diols of this invention were converted to the meta- and/or ortho-phenols through contacting the cis-diols with acid in water or water/solvent mixtures. The phenolic products were readily detected on TLC with Gibb's reagent.

EXAMPLE 18

[0307] The hydrosilylation of hydro- and vinyl silane cis-diols may be performed. The cis-diols of this invention bearing either hydrosilane or vinylsilane functionality may be subjected to hydrosilylation reactions resulting in the formation of a silicon-carbon bond. For example the acetonide (2b) is contacted with an olefin and Wilkinsons catalyst [(Ph₃P)₃RhCl] in an appropriate solvent to yield a silane containing an additional silicon-carbon bond.

[0308] It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is not to be considered limited to what is described in the specification. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for converting an aryl silane to a corresponding cis-diol, comprising: providing an aryl silane substrate, wherein said aryl silane has at least one aromatic component and at least one silicon atom; and contacting a dioxygenase enzyme with said aryl silane substrate such that said aryl silane substrate is converted to a corresponding cis-diol.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dioxygenase enzyme is present in whole cells.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dioxygenase enzyme is cell-free.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dioxygenase enzyme comprises a synthetic form.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dioxygenase enzyme comprises toluene dioxygenase.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dioxygenase enzyme is expressed by an E. coli host cell expressing a JM109(pDTG601) plasmid.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dioxygenase enzyme comprises naphthalene dioxygenase.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dioxygenase enzyme comprises biphenyl dioxygenase.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dioxygenase enzyme is contacted with said aryl silane substrate in a liquid medium.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises providing a plurality of aryl silane substrates.
 11. The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said plurality of aryl silane substrates comprise the same aryl silane.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said plurality of aryl silane substrates comprise different aryl silanes.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising reacting said cis-diol with 2,2dimethoxypropane to convert said cis-diol to an acetonide derivative.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising maintaining said acetonide derivative at room temperature for a sufficient time such that a cycloadduct forms from said acetonide derivative.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising contacting a diol dehydrogenase enzyme with said cis-diol to convert said cis-diol to a corresponding catechol.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein said dioxygenase enzyme and said diol dehydrogenase enzyme are present in whole cells.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein said dioxygenase enzyme and said diol dehydrogenase enzyme are present in a single strain of cells.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said aryl silane substrate has the formula:

and said cis-diol has the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein said cis-diol comprises:


22. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein said cis-diol comprises


23. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein said cis-diol comprises


24. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein said cis-diol comprises


25. The method as claimed in claim 18 further comprising reacting said cis-diol with 2,2-dimethoxypropane to convert said cis-diol to an acetonide derivative having the formula:


26. The method as claimed in claim 25 wherein said acetonide comprises:


27. The method as claimed in claim 25 wherein said acetonide comprises


28. The method as claimed in claim 25 wherein said acetonide comprises:


29. The method as claimed in claim 25 wherein said acetonide comprises:


30. The method as claimed in claim 18 further comprising contacting a diol dehydrogenase enzyme with said cis-diol to convert said cis-diol to a corresponding catechol having the formula:


31. The method as claimed in claim 30 wherein said catechol comprises:


32. The method as claimed in claim 30 wherein said catechol comprises:


33. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said aryl silane substrate has the formula:

and said cis-diol has the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.
 34. The method as claimed in claim 33 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and X is either a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, C₂-C₅ alkenyl, or C₂-C₅ alkynyl spacer.
 35. The method as claimed in claim 33 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 36. The method as claimed in claim 33 further comprising reacting said cis-diol with 2,2-dimethoxypropane to convert said cis-diol to an acetonide derivative having the formula:


37. The method as claimed in claim 33 further comprising contacting a diol dehydrogenase enzyme with said cis-diol to convert said cis-diol to a corresponding catechol having the formula:


38. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said aryl silane substrate has the formula:

and said cis-diol has the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.
 39. The method as claimed in claim 38 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 40. The method as claimed in claim 38 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 41. The method as claimed in claim 38 further comprising reacting said cis-diol with 2,2-dimethoxypropane to convert said cis-diol to an acetonide derivative having the formula:


42. The method as claimed in claim 38 further comprising contacting a diol dehydrogenase enzyme with said cis-diol to convert said cis-diol to a corresponding catechol having the formula:


43. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said aryl silane substrate has the formula:

and said cis-diol has the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.
 44. The method as claimed in claim 43 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 45. The method as claimed in claim 43 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 46. The method as claimed in claim 43 further comprising reacting said cis-diol with 2,2-dimethoxypropane to convert such that said cis-diol to an acetonide derivative having the formula:


47. The method as claimed in claim 43 further comprising contacting a diol dehydrogenase enzyme with said cis-diol to convert said cis-diol to a corresponding catechol having the formula:


48. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said aryl silane substrate has the formula:

and said cis-diol has the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, S, O or NR₁₋₂.
 49. The method as claimed in claim 48 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and X is either a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, C₂-C₅ alkenyl, or C₂-C₅ alkynyl spacer.
 50. The method as claimed in claim 48 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 51. The method as claimed in claim 48 further comprising reacting said cis-diol with 2,2-dimethoxypropane to convert said cis-diol to an acetonide derivative having the formula:


52. The method as claimed in claim 48 further comprising contacting a diol dehydrogenase enzyme with said cis-diol to convert said cis-diol to a corresponding catechol having the formula:


53. A compound comprising a cis-diol having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.
 54. The compound as claimed in claim 53 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 55. The compound as claimed in claim 53 wherein R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl.
 56. The compound as claimed in claim 53 wherein said cis-diol comprises:


57. The compound as claimed in claim 53 wherein said cis-diol comprises


58. The compound as claimed in claim 53 wherein said cis-diol comprises


59. The compound as claimed in claim 53 wherein said cis-diol comprises


60. The compound as claimed in claim 53 wherein said cis-diol comprises


61. The compound as claimed in claim 53 wherein said cis-diol comprises


62. A compound comprising a cis-diol having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C2-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or C2-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, except when X═C₂ alkynyl and R¹═R²═R³ then R¹═R²═R³ cannot be —CH₃.
 63. The compound as claimed in claim 62 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and X is either a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, C₂-C₅ alkenyl, or C₂-C₅ alkynyl spacer.
 64. The compound as claimed in claim 62 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 65. A compound comprising a silane cis-diol having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.
 66. The compound as claimed in claim 65 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 67. The compound as claimed in claim 65 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 68. A compound comprising a silane cis-diol having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.
 69. The compound as claimed in claim 68 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 70. The compound as claimed in claim 68 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 71. A compound comprising a silane cis-diol having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C2-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, S, O or NR₁₋₂.
 72. The compound as claimed in claim 71 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and X is either a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, C₂-C₅ alkenyl, or C₂-C₅ alkynyl spacer.
 73. The compound as claimed in claim 71 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 74. A compound comprising an acetonide having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R, except when R¹═R²═R³ then R¹═R²═R³ cannot be —CH₃; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.
 75. The compound as claimed in claim 74 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 76. The compound as claimed in claim 74 wherein R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl.
 77. The compound as claimed in claim 74 wherein said acetonide comprises:


78. The compound as claimed in claim 74 wherein said acetonide comprises:


79. The compound as claimed in claim 74 wherein said acetonide comprises:


80. The compound as claimed in claim 74 wherein said acetonide comprises:


81. A compound comprising an acetonide having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C2-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or C2-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, except when X═C₂ alkynyl and R¹═R²═R³ then R¹═R²═R³ cannot be —CH₃.
 82. The compound as claimed in claim 81 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and X is either a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, C₂-C₅ alkenyl, or C₂-C₅ alkynyl spacer.
 83. The compound as claimed in claim 81 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 84. A compound comprising an acetonide having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.
 85. The compound as claimed in claim 84 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 86. The compound as claimed in claim 84 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 87. A compound comprising an acetonide having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C—CO₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.
 88. The compound as claimed in claim 87 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 89. The compound as claimed in claim 87 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 90. A compound comprising an acetonide having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, S, O or NR₁₋₂.
 91. The compound as claimed in claim 90 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and X is either a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, C₂-C₅ alkenyl, or C₂-C₅ alkynyl spacer.
 92. The compound as claimed in claim 90 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 93. A compound comprising a catechol having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.
 94. The compound as claimed in claim 93 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 95. The compound as claimed in claim 93 wherein R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl.
 96. The compound as claimed in claim 93 wherein said catechol comprises:


97. The compound as claimed in claim 93 wherein said catechol comprises:


98. A compound comprising a catechol having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.
 99. The compound as claimed in claim 98 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and X is either a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, C₂-C₅ alkenyl, or C₂-C₅ alkynyl spacer.
 100. The compound as claimed in claim 98 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 101. A compound comprising a catechol having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.
 102. The compound as claimed in claim 101 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 103. The compound as claimed in claim 101 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 104. A compound comprising a catechol having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C2-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³.
 105. The compound as claimed in claim 104 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 106. The compound as claimed in claim 104 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 107. A compound comprising a catechol having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, S, O or NR₁₋₂.
 108. The compound as claimed in claim 107 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₅ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³; R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and X is either a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, C₂-C₅ alkenyl, or C₂-C₅ alkynyl spacer.
 109. The compound as claimed in claim 107 wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl; and R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C₁-C₃ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₃ alkynyl, CN, NO₂, OR or SiR¹R²R³.
 110. A compound comprising:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, except that when X=nothing then R¹, R², and R³ cannot be R¹═R²═CH₃ and R³═H or R¹═R²═R³═CH₃.
 111. The compound as claimed in claim 110 wherein said compound comprises:


112. A di-O-acyl comprising a compound having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R⁵ is linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, halomethyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.
 113. The compound as claimed in claim 112 wherein said di-O-acyl comprises:


114. A silyl ether comprising a compound having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.
 115. The compound as claimed in claim 114 wherein said compound comprises


116. A boronate ester comprising a compound having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C2-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R⁵ is aryl, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, or linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈alkynyl spacer.
 117. The compound as claimed in claim 116 wherein said compound comprises


118. An epoxy comprising a compound having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.
 119. The compound as claimed in claim 118 wherein said compound comprises


120. The compound as claimed in claim 118 wherein said compound comprises


121. An epoxy comprising a compound having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer, except when X=nothing then R¹, R², and R³ cannot be R¹═R²═R³═CH₃.
 122. The compound as claimed in claim 121 wherein said compound comprises


123. The compound as claimed in claim 121 wherein said compound comprises


124. A partially or fully saturated compound comprising a compound having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.
 125. The compound as claimed in claim 124 wherein said compound comprises


126. The compound as claimed in claim 124 wherein said compound comprises


127. The compound as claimed in claim 124 wherein said compound comprises


128. A partially or fully saturated compound comprising a compound having the formula:

wherein: R¹, R², and R³ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈alkynyl spacer.
 129. The compound as claimed in claim 128 wherein said compound comprises


130. The compound as claimed in claim 128 wherein said compound comprises:


131. The compound as claimed in claim 128 wherein said compound comprises


132. A silanol comprising a compound having the formula:

wherein: R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈alkynyl spacer.
 133. The compound as claimed in claim 132 wherein said compound comprises


134. A silanol comprising a compound having the formula:

wherein: R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.
 135. The compound as claimed in claim 134 wherein said compound comprises


136. An alkoxy compound comprising:

wherein: R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C2-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; R⁵ is an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.
 137. An alkoxy compound comprising:

wherein: R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C2-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR₂₋₃, or O(CO)R; R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl, halomethyl, CF₃, CN, NO₂, SR, OR, NR₂₋₃, O(CO)R, SiR¹R²R³, or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; R⁵ is an aryl, a linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, a linear or branched C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, or SiR¹R²R³; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₁₈ alkenyl, and C₂-C₁₈ alkynyl spacer.
 138. The compound as claimed in claim 137 wherein said compound comprises


139. The compound as claimed in claim 137 wherein said compound comprises 